lots to luv

There's a lot to luv about this week. My husband and I celebrate our 20th anniversary and it's my birthday, too. I think I'll take some time away from blogging, so I can bask in all the luv. See ya next week.

New! Numbered Jars

These Numbered Glass Jars are perfect for the vintage style kitchen or bath. This glass jar canister set has unique shapes and metal flip-top lids reminiscent of old canning jars found in farmhouse pantries. Set of three at Farmhouse Wares. Happy Friday!

baby luv

My bumbie wore this sweet little dress when she was a tiny baby. I recently came across it while cleaning out some drawers. I can't believe she was ever that small. I washed it, and it's now hanging, like a piece of art, in the laundry room.

My Garden Tomatoes

“It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.” Lewis Grizzard

So glad...

it's Friday! Cheers to a great weekend.

Is it Cocktail Hour Yet?

I have had quite an awful day, mainly inspired by technology. Ugh. Is it time for cocktails? Of course, if I were part of the Mad Men generation I wouldn't even think twice about it. But I shall wait for a more proper time--perhaps 5:05 pm will do.

Waterfalls and Ruffles

I'm being haunted by this gorgeous duvet cover from Urban Outfitters. I keep seeing it everywhere. Just when I put it out of my mind, it pops up again. Today I saw it on Brabourne Farm. It's even called the Waterfall Ruffle, which sounds so lovely and tempting. You see, I'm somewhat of a bedding fanatic, and I'm trying to be good about buying anything new because my linen closet is overloaded. But...my birthday is just around the corner.

carrot harvest

Bugs Bunny would be proud—perhaps even a little envious of our carrot harvest this year. I started them early because of the unseasonably warm New England spring we had. I did very little prep work to the soil, in fact, I didn't even amend the soil like I usually do. Nonetheless, we yielded a beautiful crop.

We've been enjoying them, snacking on them with dips. Our favorite recipe is super easy. Basically I sauté a little fresh ginger and minced garlic in butter (about five tablespoons). Then I add a pound of carrots (cut anyway you like), a cup of organic orange juice, and about 1/4 cup of honey. Cook until the liquid is greatly reduced, leaving the carrots coated (almost caramelized), but not wet.

Now the trouble is, after gorging ourselves on our new crop, we've run out of new ways to prepare them. Right now we’re looking for dishes that we can prepare and freeze for the winter months. If you have a favorite carrot recipe, please send it my way. I need all the ideas I can get.

New! Vintage Medicine Cabinet

Our new Vintage Medicine Cabinet is perfect for showcasing antique bottles, soaps, perfumes and good old-fashioned remedies. I'm most fond of the beadboard back. So charming. Happy Friday!

Morning glory...or not

One of the great pleasures of country living is being able to enjoy the glory of a warm, summer morning in the quiet bliss of my backyard.

The other morning the air was perfect. It was a pleasant change from the sticky humid air we’ve been experiencing all summer, so I decided to take my coffee outside and stroll around my gardens. The cats were lounging lazily in sunny patches. The morning glories were just waking up. The world seemed so still.

But this stillness came to a crashing halt when suddenly I heard a truck pulling up my drive. You see, when I decided to take my stroll I was still half naked, wearing only my bathrobe. This bathrobe is not meant for the viewing public. It’s soft and cozy and my best friend when I’m sick, but it ain’t pretty.

When I realized it was our neighbor, and I could hear him getting out of his truck, my brain quickly searched for a solution. I remembered the door on the other side of the house was open. I could get there without him seeing me and get my husband to deal with him. Panicked, but pleased with my quick thinking, I started to run. Then I felt it. My knee just decided to quit on me. Time suddenly slowed to a crawl, and I could see my coffee floating in the air. I saw the path of rocks and metal table that I was about to slam into. Wham. I went down. I went down hard. It wasn't pretty.

Robe now wide open, time sped up but I couldn't move. My neighbor was on our porch, calling “hello?”—just two steps away from me, but still out of sight. My husband ran to the window to see if I was OK. But I couldn't talk because our guest would hear me and move in my direction. I pointed and whispered for him to go to the door. Luckily, he was on it lickety-split.

Shaken and bruised, I collected myself. I secured my robe, fixed my hair, and limped, with whatever dignity I could muster, into the house.

I now have a handsome bruise running down the whole right side of my body, and my beloved bathrobe is covered in coffee stains. I continue watching the glory of each morning unfold; I just make sure I’m wearing the proper attire.

Get Pickling

It's that time of year when the garden is brimming with so much goodness. We've got to put this bounty to work for us, so I've been pickling a ton lately. I've pickled green beans, cucumbers, and eggs, too. Our Glass Pickle Canister is a must-have for pickle season. It has a wide mouth for easy filling and a ceramic flip-top lid to keep things fresh. The Glass Pickle Canister is perfect for pickles or salsa, so savor the garden fresh taste of summer with this vintage style jar. Be sure to visit A Country Farmhouse for an easy pickling recipe that you can use to pickle just about anything. Then add different herbs and seasoning, depending on the desired outcome. Happy pickling!

chicken report {no. 10}

I’d like you all to meet broody Judy. Judy has been broody for a few days now. Basically, when a hen becomes broody she stops laying and is overcome by her motherly instincts to incubate her eggs. Broody hens are also moody hens. Judy growls when we try to move her. She’ll peck at you too.

Of course, it’s probably my fault, because I forgot to collect the eggs one day—maybe two. Broody hens are determined girls. They’ll go without food and water, save for once a day, in the effort of keeping those eggs toasty. Judy is very sickly looking from this. Her comb is all flopped over and dull in color. Last night we took the eggs from under Judy and replaced them with ice cubes. She came out for a while and ran around with the others, but she went back in soon after.

I feel bad, because it must be confusing to go against her natural instincts. But she’s not producing and she could compromise her health, especially in this warm weather. She also may be upsetting the other hens by continually occupying the same box. We’ll try the ice again tonight. I know I wouldn’t want to sit on a bed full of frozen cubes, but like I said, Judy is one determined girl. She’s just doing what a girl’s got to do.